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03/28/2012 03:54 PM

LEED Achieves Milestone: 12,000 Commercial Buildings Certified

SustainableBusiness.com News

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is celebrating the certification of the 12,000th commercial project under its LEED green building program.

When all kinds of buildings are included, there are more than 137,000 LEED registered and certified projects, homes, communities and neighborhoods around the world.

More than 45,000 projects participate in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising 8.4 billion square feet in all 50 states and 120 countries. Over 19,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with over 76,500 more homes registered.

It's hard to believe LEED was launched just 12 years ago in 2000, because it's had such a huge impact on the construction industry. LEED is transforming the way built environments are designed, constructed, operated and maintained.

Since its start, when LEED certification was solely for new buildings, the program has grown to cover just about every kind of building: schools, homes, neighborhoods, commercial retrofits and interiors, as well as specific applications, such as hospitals.

"The momentum for green buildings is rippling around the globe, enhancing the built environment for generations to come," says Rick Fedrizzi, CEO & Founding Chair of USGBC.

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge facility, rated LEED-Gold, has the notable distinction of being the 12,000th commercial building. Paid for by the Recovery Act, it's been rebuilt after the original facility was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. The building will house wildlife exhibits, an environmental education center, and National Park employees.

LEED certification undergoes continual improvements. The final comment period for LEED 2012 ended earlier this week.